isc logo  

Daily News Summary
26 September 2019

Independent schools chief challenges "truly toxic" portrayal of the sector
'It is time to stop playing politics with children's lives'
More than a quarter of secondary pupils have 'received private tuition'
Figures reveal disparity in English GCSE marks from one exam board to another
Top universities remain 'undecided' on T-levels
Education secretary calls on universities to cut drop out rates and widen access

Independent schools chief challenges "truly toxic" portrayal of the sector

 

Christopher King, chief executive of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), has given a speech today at his organisation's conference speaking out against the "truly toxic" portrayal of the independent sector. By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

The Times also references Christopher King's speech. It reports a number of preparatory schools are expected to adopt a "nurturing focus" on kindness and mental health support in an effort to attract more pupils. By Nicola Woolcock. The article references Beacon School and Clifton School.

 

'It is time to stop playing politics with children's lives'

 

Writing in Tes, David James, deputy head (academic) of Bryanston School, argues proponents of the Labour motion to abolish independent schools should 'consider how it would impact children and young people'.

 
Tes

More than a quarter of secondary pupils have 'received private tuition'

 

According to research published by the Sutton Trust, 27 per cent of 11 to 16-year-olds have received private tuition, and 24 per cent of secondary school teachers have taken on private tuition in the last two years. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

Figures reveal disparity in English GCSE marks from one exam board to another

 

New figures show 6.38 per cent of OCR's English language exams this year were awarded a grade 9 compared to just 2.1 per cent for AQA, prompting calls for the exams watchdog to launch an investigation. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

Top universities remain 'undecided' on T-levels

 

According to Tes, 16 Russell Group universities have not yet decided if they will accept T-levels as entry qualifications for undergraduate courses. By Kate Parker.

 
Tes

Education secretary calls on universities to cut drop out rates and widen access

 

Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, has written to Universities UK calling for action after new data revealed disadvantaged students are less likely to go to university and more likely to drop out if they do. By Will Hazell, iNews.

 
iNews

 

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) monitors the national and educational press in order to keep independent schools up-to-date with relevant education news. The DNS is a service primarily for schools in membership of ISC associations, although other interested parties can choose to sign-up. We endeavour to include relevant news and commentary and, wherever possible, notable public letters. Where capacity allows, we may include links to ISC blogs, press statements and information about school or association events. News stories are selected based on their relevance to the independent sector as a whole. Editorial control of the DNS remains solely with the ISC.

Sign-up to the email service is available on our website.

Members can contact the ISC if they know in advance of news, letters or opinions that are likely to feature in the media, or are aware of existing coverage which they would like to see featured in the DNS.

Headlines and first-line summaries are written by the ISC with the link directing to the source material. You should read and comply with the terms and conditions of the websites to which we link.